75
I'm tossing and turning in bed when Bella slips into the room.
"You can't sleep?" she whispers.
I shake my head. "You're not here."
She turns the heating blankets on and slips under the covers, her fingers braid into the hair on the back of my head and massage lightly. I don't waste any time wrapping my arms around her middle.
"Sorry; your mom and I got carried away."
I kiss her neck. "Talking shit about me still?"
She laughs quietly. "Not everything revolves around you, Edward. We were talking about V.A.M.P. and my mom's plans for the country's future."
"Really?"
Bella nods. "Yeah. She can't wait to meet my parents and wants to stay until your dad can get here. He's off the day after tomorrow."
I frown because I don't want to share Bella with anyone. The girls are lucky I let them have time with her. Bella tells me it's part of the mating bond and that she feels the same.
"Okay."
She kisses me softly but stops when she realizes I'm not participating. "What is it?"
"My mom is downstairs. With super hearing."
Bella titters. "You're a grown man, Edward." She points to the door. "There are two girls sleeping right down the hall who are living proof you've kissed a girl before."
I lean in. "You know what kissing leads to and how I can't keep my hands off of you when we're alone." I breathe into her ear and she pulls on my hair. "Bella."
"I'm sorry." She lies. "I'll stop."
I have to work in the morning, but I want to stay up and talk to her. It feels like we're wasting time when I'm sleeping, and I feel bad that Bella just lies next to me for hours. She has got to be bored out of her mind, but she insists that it's fine. She likes when I hold her.
"I love you, Edward," she whispers softly right before I fall asleep.
"Love you too," I mumble incoherently.